Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-05-27
A LESSON TO TAXPAYERS.
THE BOARD or CIVIL AUTHORITY
SUSTAIN THE ASSESSORS.
The Appeal of w. w. wheeler Receives an
Adverse Decision-Taxpayers Must
Make out Their Lists-Meetipg of
the Board of Aldermen

The Board of Civil Authority held
meeting Monday evening for the purpose
of listening to appeals from the decision
of the Board of Assessors, with all the
members present. But one appeal was
made, that of w. w. Wheeler for whom
j. j. Enright appeared. City Attorney
Roberts represented the city. Mr.. Wheel
er's claim as shown by Mr.. Enright's re-
marks was that he had never filled out
an inventory before and that when he
stated to the assessors who called on him
that he supposed he would have to pay
taxes on about $4,000, he thought he had
done all that was necessary, having no
intention to violate the law. A complete
list was then presented.
Assessors Mower and Brownell stated
that having had . return from the as
SCISSORS of another town of a mortgage in
favor of William w. Wheeler they sent
him printed notice to file his inventory
and subsequently gave him an oral notice
when he SAID that he had about $4,000, but
supposed he was owing enough to offset
that amount. They ascertained what his
property and debts amounted tC and
doubled his list making it $500.
City Attorney Roberts said that Mr..
Wheeler would be obliged to show that
his failure was the result of an accident
and not "willful' in order to justify a
correction of his list by the Board.
Alderman Sutton said that unless he
could be convinced that Mr.. Wheeler had
willfully violated the law he should
be in favor of making correction. After
quite extended remarks he moved that
the assessors be instructed to correct Mr..
Wheeler's list in accordance with the list
presented to the Board.
Alderman Englesby said if there was
any way to let Mr.. Wheeler off without
establishing precedent he would favor
correcting his list 1t was dear expert
ence at $40, but it might be we'll for all
the residents of the city that one should
pay $40 in this way.
In response to an inquiry by Alderman
Mckillip rs to whether the assessors
had any recommendation to make, AS
SCISSOR Johonnott said they had not, but
he thought it would place assessors in q
peculiar condition and succeeding boards
would have no means to enforce the law
II the precedent proposed was established.
Alderman Booth thought the list should
be corrected if Mr. Wheeler stated to the
assessors that he had $1,000
Alderman Brown said that the matter
seemed to turn on the definition of twill
full" Mr.. Wheeler was asked to make out
a list and "willed' not to do so and al
though he sympathized with him he could
not vote to correct his list.
The motion was then put and lost by
an almost unanimous vote and an adjour-
ment was taken.
Meeting of the Board of Aldermen.
The Board of Aldermen was then calleC
to order and the appointment by Mayor
Henry of Frank G. Lee as special police
man in Ward two was confirmed Ar
invitation from Stannard Post, No. 9, tt
take part in the observance of Memoria
Day was read by President Sutton and
accepted.
An ordinance introduced by Alderman
Englesby was passed requiring the con
struction OF stone sidewalk on the soutl
side of College street between st. Pau
and Pine to be completed In 80 days.
A resolution was passed directing tn,
street commissioners to construct a sewe
in Pearl street from Church street t,
Elmwood avenue. Adjourned.